Privacy Policy

Small Claims Advantage (SCA) Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy outlines SCA's commitment to privacy and details how we handle personal information, including its collection, usage, processing, and disclosure.

For inquiries about this Privacy Policy or to exercise any privacy rights, you can utilize our online Privacy Form, contact Customer Care at [email protected], or call (800) 555-1234.

Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information handled by SCA in relation to our services, apps, and the smallclaimsadvantage.com website, except as specified below:

Information utilized by SCA’s Identity Protection and Business Data Protection services, governed by separate policies detailed at service activation.

Personal data collected or used by third-party sites linked from our website or through social media widgets. Refer to third-party privacy policies for details.

Information related to SCA’s employment activities, including job applicant data.

SCA's Approach to Privacy

SCA values your privacy and has established practices to safeguard your personal data, adhering to principles of Privacy-by-Design. We have dedicated teams for privacy and security, ensuring your data is secure and used in alignment with this Privacy Policy.

Types of Personal Information Collected

SCA may collect various personal data categories, depending on your interactions and the products you consider or purchase, including:

Identifiers: Such as names, postal addresses, online identifiers, IP addresses, email addresses, and account numbers.

Sensitive Information: Including social security, driver’s license numbers, and account credentials.

Biometric Data: We may collect digital images for identity verification with your consent.

Protected Characteristics: Data like age, national origin, marital status, and veteran status. SCA does not use this data for profiling based on health, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Commercial Information: Records of purchased products or services and consumer history.

Internet Activity: Browsing and search history, device information, and interaction with websites, applications, or advertisements.

Geolocation Data: Information about your location.

Audio and Visual Data: Recordings of calls or visual images for legal, security, or product provision purposes.

Professional and Employment Information: Professional status, employment history, and related data.

Other Information: Physical characteristics, contact details, financial data, and any additional information you provide directly to SCA.

Sources of Personal Information

We collect personal data from various sources, including:

Customers: Directly or indirectly through website interactions and cookies.

Related Parties: Information from businesses or individuals related to our services.

Service Providers: Data from entities assisting us in delivering products and services.

Professionals and Business Partners: Information from attorneys, tax experts, and business collaborators.

Affiliates and Subsidiaries: Data from our related companies.

Public and Commercial Sources: Publicly available sources like government records or commercially available data.

Use of Personal Information

SCA uses collected information for several purposes, including:

Product and Service Delivery: To provide and support our offerings.

Security: To ensure the safety of our networks and facilities.

Marketing and Advertising: For promotional efforts and targeted advertising.

Product Development: To improve and create new products and services.

Analytics: For analyzing customer interactions and preferences.

Operational Purposes: For running our business, including website maintenance and partner collaborations.

Financial Reporting: For internal and external financial reporting and analysis.

Legal Compliance: To fulfill legal obligations and respond to legal requests.

Business Transfers: In the event of mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales.

Disclosure of Personal Information

SCA may share your data with:

Service Providers: Entities assisting with our business operations.

Business Partners and Professionals: Companies and professionals providing services through SCA.

Government Entities: For legal and business purposes.

Public Disclosures: In limited circumstances, such as legal requirements or customer testimonials.

Legal Requests and Business Transfers: In response to legal processes or during business transactions.

Retention of Personal Information

SCA retains personal data as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal obligations, and for business operations.

Use of Cookies and Your Choices

SCA employs technologies like cookies for website functionality, analytics, and marketing. You have choices regarding the use of cookies, including opting out of marketing cookies via our Preference Center.

Federal Claims

This is not an exhaustive list, and the eligibility of a case for small claims court can vary depending on specific circumstances. We advise consulting with an attorney to determine the most appropriate court for your case. The information provided here is for general guidance only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need to set up a legal consultation with an attorney, please click on the 'legal consultation' button.

IF ANY RESPONSE HAS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BANKRUPTCY, IMMIGRATION, COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS. FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY CASES, FEDERAL SECURITY CASES SHOULD BE FLAGGED AND THE ABOVE RESPONSE CREATED

GOVERNMENT CLAIMS OR TRIBAL CASES

Your responses indicate this might be a government claim or a tribal case. There are many specific laws and rules that govern this area of law. We HIGHLY suggest seeking legal advice and scheduling a consultation. At this point, we cannot have you proceed because there could be several issues precluding you from filing in this jurisdiction.

IF ANY RESPONSE CONTAINS. CITY, COUNTY, STATE, CASINO AS A DEFENDANT THIS SHOULD BE FLAGGED AND THE ABOVE RESPONSE CREATED

WHEN PLAINTIFF HAS AN OPTION TO PICK MORE THAN ONE PLAINTIFF

IN GENERAL FOR ALL CLAIMS:

Are there more Plaintiffs: Each plaintiff can file their own lawsuit or be included into one. However, if you are included in one lawsuit you are limited to $12,500 total. If each Plaintiff files their own lawsuit for their own cause of action, you are each entitled to sue for $12,500. Be cautious of this and if you need legal advice, please click the consultation button.

WHEN QUESTION ARISES ABOUT DEFENDANT/WHO YOU CAN SUE

IF PERSONAL INJURY CASE:

Auto accident

As the plaintiff, you can sue the driver and the owner of the vehicle (most likely not the bank, lessor, or a rental car company see Graves Amendment for details: The Graves Amendment and Rental Car Liability - FindLaw) .

 If the defendant was working at the time, you can also sue the employer. 

You generally would file a slip and fall lawsuit against the person or entity that controlled the area or the person or company that failed to address the hazard. However, you may also have a claim against the property owner if: The property owner had maintained control (such as of a common area in an apartment) The property owner rented the property with hazards they failed to disclose. This can be a tricky situation to figure out who controlled and/or owned the area of where the incident took place. We highly suggest either scheduling a Consultation with an attorney and/or selecting our Premium Package.

Dog Bite:

Dog Owner: The primary party usually sued in dog bite cases is the dog's owner. They are typically held responsible for their dog's behavior.

Property Owner: If the dog bite occurred on property owned by someone other than the dog owner (such as a rental property), the property owner might also be liable, especially if they were aware of the dog’s presence and potential danger.

Caretaker or Keeper of the Dog: If someone other than the owner was taking care of or in control of the dog at the time of the incident, this individual and/or company could be held responsible.

Employer: If the incident occurred while the dog was under the control of an employee, during the course of employment (like a guard dog on business premises), the employer could be liable.

Products Liability: 

In a product liability case, it can be very difficult to determine which parties to sue and legal research is suggested. We highly recommend selecting the Premium Package and/or scheduling a legal consultation.

Potential parties that can be sued include:

Manufacturer: The primary defendant in most product liability cases. This includes the manufacturer of the final product or any parts of the product.

Distributor/Wholesaler: Parties involved in the distribution chain of the product can also be liable. They are responsible for ensuring the products they distribute are safe.

Retailer: The store or entity that sold the product to the consumer can be sued, even if they did not manufacture the product. Retailers are responsible for ensuring that the products they sell are not defective or dangerous.

Designer: In cases where a design flaw caused the injury, the designer of the product could be held liable.

Breach of Contract

Direct Parties: Sue the individual or entity that was directly involved in the contract. This could be a service provider, a business, or a specific individual who failed to fulfill their contractual obligations.

Guarantors or Co-signers: If the contract involved a guarantor or a co-signer, they could also be liable.

Parent Companies: If dealing with a subsidiary, consider whether the parent company can be held responsible.

Successor Entities: If the business has been sold or transferred, the successor entity may inherit the contract liabilities.

Landlord-Tenant Dispute

Landlord/Property Owner: The primary defendant in most disputes, especially for issues like return of deposit, maintenance neglect, or illegal eviction.

Property Management Companies: If a property manager is involved, they might also be liable, particularly if they played a role in the dispute.

Sub-landlords: In situations involving sublets, the sub-landlord may also be a party to sue.

Employment Lawsuit

Employer/Company: The primary defendant in employment disputes, covering issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or unpaid wages.

Individual Supervisors or Coworkers: In some cases, individuals like supervisors or coworkers who engaged in discriminatory or harassing behavior might be personally liable.

Parent Companies: For subsidiary companies, consider whether the parent company holds any liability.

HR Representatives or Other Officials: If they played a significant role in the violation of employment rights.

FOR VENUE QUESTIONS: 

Selecting the appropriate legal venue and judge is a crucial aspect in filing a lawsuit and going forward with the right judge. Our team has filed tens of thousands of lawsuits in small claims court. We highly recommend you select the second package, so we can place you in the best venue in front of the best Judge for your type of case. (should we be careful of judge shopping language?) We have statics on hundreds of small claims judges and judge pro-tems. Take advantage of our database and let the statistics work in your favor.

Where you can file a lawsuit:

1. Contract Law

Place of Contract Execution: Where the contract was signed or where it was entered into.

Place of Contract Performance: Where the services or goods were to be delivered or performed, as per the contract. Place of breach?

Defendant's Residence: Where the defendant resides or does business.

Check for choice of forum in the contract itself.

2. Online Contracts (Contract Law)

Jurisdiction Clause in Contract: Many online contracts include a jurisdiction clause specifying where disputes must be litigated. Make sure you read your contract or click the button and schedule a consultation with an attorney.

Defendant's Residence: If no jurisdiction clause is present, where the defendant resides can be a choice.

Plaintiff's Residence: Depending on the case specifics, the plaintiff's residence might be considered, especially if the contract was entered into in that location.

3. Employment Law

Place of Employment: Where the work was performed or where the employment office is located.

Employer's Principal Place of Business: Where the company is headquartered or has a significant presence.

Employee's Residence: In some cases, where the employee resides might be relevant, particularly for remote work situations.

4. Landlord-Tenant Law

Location of Property: Lawsuits generally need to be filed in the jurisdiction where the rental property is located.

Landlord's Residence: In some scenarios, especially if the landlord is a private individual, their place of residence might be a factor.

5. Personal Injury Matters:

Slip/trip and falls: Where the Incident Occurred: The most common venue for filing a personal injury lawsuit is in the county or jurisdiction where the accident happened. This is because the location of the incident is directly linked to the legal matter.

Defendant's Residence or Place of Business: The lawsuit can also potentially be filed in the county where the defendant (the property owner or manager) resides or where their principal place of business is located.

Auto accidents:

Where the Accident Occurred: This is the most common and straightforward option, as it directly relates to the event in question.

Defendant's Residence: You can file a lawsuit in the county where the driver or the owner of the vehicle resides at the time of filing.

Place of Business for the Employer: If the driver was working at the time of the accident and the employer is implicated, the lawsuit can also be filed in the jurisdiction where the employer's business is located.

Dog bite 

Dog Owner: The primary defendant is typically the owner of the dog. They are generally held responsible for their pet's actions under the principle of owner liability.  

Property Owner: If the incident occurred on property owned by someone other than the dog owner (like a landlord), this individual might also be liable, particularly if they were aware of the presence of the dog and the potential danger it posed.

Employer: In cases where the dog is kept for work purposes (like a guard dog), the employer or business owner could be held liable, especially if the dog was acting in its capacity as a guard dog at the time of the incident

Where the dog and/or property owner resides at the time of filing.  Where the alleged incident occurred.  

Products Liability

Defendant's Principal Place of Business: You can file a lawsuit in the jurisdiction where the manufacturer or company responsible for the product is based or has its principal place of business.

Where the Injury Occurred: If the injury caused by the defective product occurred in a specific location, the lawsuit can be filed in that jurisdiction.

Where the Product Was Purchased: If the product was bought in a specific jurisdiction, you can consider filing the lawsuit in that location, especially if it's relevant to the claim, such as in cases where the point of sale might be tied to the defect or misrepresentation of the product.

Medical or dental malpractice

Location of the Malpractice: The most common choice is to file the lawsuit in the jurisdiction where the alleged medical malpractice occurred, typically where the hospital, clinic, or medical office is located.

Defendant's Residence or Place of Business: You can file in the county where the medical professional or the healthcare facility's owner resides or has their principal place of business.

Note re choice of forum clauses